The Secrets of Creation Revealed: Our Identity as Children of God

Romans 8: 19-22 says:

   For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

The longings of creation

   Do you know who you are?  There is something often times hidden from us in this life that the enemy doesn't want us to know.  Yet, even creation knows who we are.  It is literally, "waiting with an outstretched neck", longing for the glory hidden in us to be revealed.  If you are in Christ (have said "yes" to Him), you get His seal of approval, the Holy Spirit in you.  You have become His child, His heir or heiress forever!  

When you really get a hold of this truth, not just in head, but in heart, changes begin to occur.  You start to act according to your new identity.  

Possibly we have received or thought of ourselves in many other ways, some of them not so great.  Maybe we have seen ourselves as "failure", "black sheep", "misfit", "lacking", "depressed", "anxious" and so on.  But, none of these have anything to do with how God sees us.  If we get a hold of what creation already knows, that we are always and forever a new creation in Christ, forgiven by the Father and held in His loving grip, nothing can stop us.

"Show us who we are, Lord."

A prayer for today:

Abba, Father, show me who I am again today, deep in my inner heart. Show me what your creation already knows.  Show me how I am seated in high places with you.  Show me how you see me again.

The Overcoming Power of Rejoicing in All Things

                  Confession:  For several years, I had been in a cycle of anxiety regarding an ongoing health issue with someone very dear to me.  I didn't really realize it because as I would pray eventually the wave of anxiety would pass.  But what I didn't recognize is that it just got shoved to the back burner and I was merely just distracting myself with the many other issues I face daily.  Its easy to distract yourself in this life.


                  But as the years have gone on, while I have been trying to trust God, the situation hasn't really changed to the degree that I have hoped.  With as much boldness I could muster, mixed with some anxiety and frustration, I began REALLY  talking to God about it. 

                  WHAT is going on?  WHY haven't we seen the shift in this area I had hoped for?

I sensed the most unexpected response from the Lord, in the midst of schooling someone (wink) about Philippians 4:4-8. 
   We have all read this passage.  I have gone over it many times myself in the past, especially when those overpowering waves of anxiety have tried to pull me under their relentless current.



4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness[d] be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.


          Oh I was on a roll, breaking this passage down into 4 easy steps for my friend to digest:

   "First, you REJOICE, whatever the situation is.  Then, you pray or talk to God honestly about it.  Tell him exactly what you need or want.  Finally, you thank him, for who He is, what He will do.  And then you leave it with Him and wait, as you trust Him.  His peace guards your heart and mind."

         As I was explaining this, I felt that all familiar nudge.  It hit me.

   "You have never done this with your own situation."  

  I thought back for a moment, my mind racing through all the years of prayer over this issue.  I had listened to God. I had pleaded in the night.  I had fervently prayed.  And yet it was true.  At the onset of this injury, I had not done what I was explaining to someone else they needed to do.

      So I did it.  I simply agreed with God.  

      "I rejoice in this situation."    

I may have entered into this longer, I can't remember.  But something happened.  A shift occurred inside.

When we rejoice over a seemingly impossible situation, we are declaring something BIG.

We are saying, "We are no longer UNDER the unbearable weight of this moment, but in Christ, we are OVER it."  

     We are agreeing that whatever we are facing, even though it could crush us in our own strength, is nothing compared to God's incredible power.  We also aren't resisting the situation, but rather surrendering to God in it.  We place Him in our hearts where He already resides in Heaven:  On the throne.

     I realized there was something God was after in me.  He loves all the prayer, and how we reach for Him in a tough time.  That's great.  But he was also wanting a response of trust, faith from my heart of hearts.  

   "Daddy, you got this.  I trust you.  I rejoice."

"The Pillar of Cloud"
Moses leading the
Israelites

      It was the same response He was after from the Israelites when they came upon the Red Sea.  And its the same response He is after in you and me.

     A shift was made, a table was turned that day.  Clarity of God's purposes began to arise. Anxiety was extinguished as I was able to settle safely again into the Almighty.

      

Pushing Back the Clouds of Offense

         

           As I stood in worship, mumbling words I could hardly get off my lips, it dawned on me.  This. was. not. fun.  Something wasn't right.  Usually worship was a place where I found safety and peace.  I could just absorb the love of God and enjoy His presence.  I could usually just rest in the little haven God created as I focused on Him.

           But this morning was different.  Anger was clinching its claws into my skin.  My throat was tight and my shoulders filled with tension.  I couldn't get comfortable.  I wanted to run.

       There was a situation that had surfaced that brought hurt and pain into my path.

         However, I had been in relationship with God long enough to know that running wasn't going to fix anything.  The absence of His felt presence was an indication that something was off . . . IN ME.  What was it?  I was MAD.  And I was telling God how I felt.  And I was RIGHT.  I knew it and God knew it (hear any tones of self-righteousness in there?).  And really, looking at the situation with natural eyes, anyone would agree me.  No doubt, hands down,  I was right.

       But if I was right (which I was, by the way), then where did God go?  What exactly was the problem?

     After asking Him what I needed to change (which asking the question in and of itself was like swallowing a fist full of thumb tacks), I knew deep down what I needed to do to displace the offense in my spirit.  I wanted God more than to be right.  I wanted God's peace more than I wanted my offense.  And in reality, I NEEDED God more than I needed to be right.  I had lived too many years in depression and isolation, without His Presence, to go back in that direction again.

          I knew what I had to do.
     
         "Bless and do not curse."  I Peter 3:9

        I had to serve the very same ones I was offended with.

       

                And the arguments began raging again . . .

             

       But I had been there before so I knew what would immediately still the voices.  I knew what would displace this cloud of offense.  I knew what would silence the accuser of the Brethren.

           "Bless and do not curse.  Forgive, the way you have been forgiven."

           So, I did it.  Against my feelings, against my anger, I chose.


         As I chose, and took action something amazing happened.  The wind and waves hushed.  The clouds stopped their swirling and voices stopped their whispering.  Peace rushed over my wearied, winded soul.  And clarity followed.  God's merciful heart for those who hurt me was revealed.  I was able to worship.  All was well again.

"Pushing Back the Darkness", 18"x20"

   
_____________________________________________________________________

Fast forward, 2 days later . . .

    My kids and I were driving through town when we saw the funniest sight.  At first it was funny.  But then we realized how very pitiful the situation was.

         One car was pulling into a parking lot while another was facing it, trying to drive out.  Neither would move for the other.

        Josiah looked at me and said, "Mom, her face was MAD. She had a really mean face."  He was speaking of the view he had of one of the drivers.

     Sometimes I think this is how the church looks to the world.  We are often caught up in the most trivial issues and offended with small things.  They seem SO important to us in the moment too.  Yes, there are some things we NEED to stand for and NOT back down.  But too often, we are fooled into standing for OUR stance or our position that we ARE NOT standing FOR our brother.  So there we stand.  And all the while the Holy Spirit is sneaking His way out the back door, because we no longer represent HIM well to the world.  And who is HE?  He is  . . . . .

    patient and kind.  He does not envy or boast.  He is not proud or rude. He is not easily provoked . . . just for starters.  (I Corinthians 13:1)
         

    And I am not speaking as one who doesn't battle this spirit of offense from time to time.  I am right there with you in the ring with my gloves on.

    My encouragement to you, as a brother or sister in the Lord, is to not take the gloves off.  Stay in the ring.  No matter how tired you are, don't give up.   And don't get fooled into fighting the wrong enemy, like I almost did.

    When we DO what the Word says, clarity comes.  Love is ushered in again.  We see clearly God's heart for a brother or sister again.

     For it says, "We battle not against flesh and blood but against powers, forces and principalities."
   (Ephesians 6:12)

Truly, love covers a multitude of sins.

Tackled by Goodness and Mercy

  "Wait I want to talk!"
               
   "No, me first."

                   My kids are arguing about who goes first as we try to have morning prayer together before they leave the house.  Its real life.  Its messy and loud.  And they are learning.

                  But finally as they settle and we snuggle, God shows up.  He can handle our chaos and in one moment step in and bring order.  He likes kids.  Wasn't it He that said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to them belongs the Kingdom."  Matthew 19:14

              Why, they are just kids?  Why, they are still learning how to behave?  Why, they are still learning?

               I think that's why.  They know they are beginning.  They know they are learning.  And in that place, they are FULLY BELIEVING.


           A Psalm has been on my heart this morning.  I am singing a song over and over in my mind.  Its not one with an upbeat rhythm.  But it has an old-timey tune.

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me, all the days of, the days of my liiiiiife."

      This song,  it sticks with me all morning.  His goodness and mercy stick with me too.  I can't seem to shake it.  They have all these years, I realize.  Through trouble and trial, my darkness and my disobedience (which is a thing), He has been there, clinging to me, pursuing me.  Consequences?  Sure, I have had plenty.  Darkness?  Oh yeah, had that.  Trouble and trial? I can name a few. But, His mercy and grace I have had far more.  When I really look back I can clearly see His mark, and His grip. His goodness is following close behind. 

    As we open up Psalm 23, I am struggling for words to help my kids understand what this phrase means.  I remember what a friend had told me.

      "This actually means God's goodness and mercy will hunt us down, pursue us, run after us and overtake us.  Who wants to be taken over with GOODNESS AND MERCY?" They nod and raise hands.

           One of my stronger children remarks, "I don't!"
           "You mean you don't want to have good things follow after you, chase you down?"
           "Oh, wait, I do." I think he misunderstood me.

"Remember how when Daddy chases you during hide and seek and then he finds you?  He has a big smile on his face.  He tackles you down to the ground and you guys laugh?"

       They nod in unison.

"Its the same way with God's mercy and goodness when we follow Him.  He follows us, chases after us.  Do you want that?"

        They nod again.  And we pray.

Shoo! We make it through a devotional and I am thanking God for words to say (because I have no idea what I am doing). 

   Dad calls, "I am leaving! Who wants to go to VBS?"

"MEEEEEEE!!!" They all cry as they run out the door.

       Thank God for VBS and VBS workers.  Lord bless them all.

Full Steam Ahead! Living Life Out of Our Internal Operating System

           "Full steam ahead!"  The Captain directed.

             On a gray afternoon years ago I recall watching a National Geographic documentary about ice breakers-ships that are made with extra strong hulls that are able to break through the icy waters of the antarctic.  One captain's story was followed.  He was explaining how in the past, steering one of these monstrous ships was a very complicated and difficult job.  Everything was manual.  The captain had to do everything-know the exact coordinates all the time and actually steer the ship-making sure all the while that it hit the ice at the proper speed.  It was a very involved, difficult job with a lot of responsibility on the shoulders of whoever was in charge.

            Now, the ship's captain leaned back against the window which detailed a beautiful panoramic view.  He explained how now that new internal operating systems had been installed in these massive titans of the sea, his job was a lot less stressful.   The complex computers took care of everything-coordinates, proper speed settings, sonar to locate large spots of ice.  He just had to watch and give the ship's crew their orders.  Here he sat leaning, relaxing almost, enjoying the ride.


           As I was reminded of this storyline, I thought about our own lives if we know Christ.  I thought about what it can be like when we don't follow Him.  What happens we take the wheel and stop trusting the deposit of His Spirit on the inside to guide us?  What happens when we stop talking to Him, reading the Bible and leaning on Him for our strength and direction?

         I know what happens.  We have all been there far too often.  I have been there too often.

         The waters of life grow choppy.  The icy thick obstacles in our way seem insurmountable.  We can't rest and we are constantly on edge.  We need to control everybody and know EVERYTHING.

          But something remarkable happens we adjust to His leadership.  Something wonderful occurs when we just simply ask for His help.  An amazing internal peace begins to lead us.  This peace goes past our knowledge of those big icebergs in our way.  They are nothing compared to the internal power that resides inside of us, if we have asked Him to take over and dwell in us.

          We can sit back and enjoy the ride.  Sure, there will be obstacles along the way.  Big obstacles.  But, we can rest easy knowing His Spirit on the inside will safely take us to our destination and our destiny.

     

       
         

The One Thing That Cannot be Taken

     As I was cleaning the house one day, I was talking with the Lord.  I was frustrated about some things that seemed to go south.  Then that led me to complain about some dreams that I had that seem to fizzle out.  I was frustrated about things that seemed to be  . . . taken.  Or it felt that way at least.  What was going on?  Then, that all too familiar whisper echoed deep within my spirit. 

                   “Mary chose the good part, and it will NOT be taken from her.” (Read Luke 10:38-42)

              Ohhhh.   I realized there were so many things that could be taken from me, so many things from this life which can be taken.  Jobs can be lost.  Relationships can give out.  Dreams can be lost.  Reputations can be smeared.  Money can be drained.  Even ministries can end.  Our bodies even are decaying as we speak (so encouraging, I know).  And time is a thief. 

            But there is ONE incredible thing God himself says cannot be taken away from us.  In the midst of my complaint, I felt RELIEF.  There was one thing I could invest in that no one could touch!  There was something, if I gave it time and attention, nothing could steal!  What a stunning and beautiful promise Jesus gave to Mary that day.  I can’t imagine the conversations between Martha and Mary after this dialogue with their beloved Master.   Or maybe there was just awkward silence.   I can’t imagine the feelings Martha felt at hearing her precious Lord’s words about her sister. 

                                      There is NOTHING that can steal the time we invest sitting at His feet. Jesus says  It can never be taken away.  And, we will see the most warfare trying to distract us from that place.  I know this all too well as a mom.

Martha did too . . .

          There are constant dirty dishes in the sink.  There is an unending flow of laundry.  The bathrooms are cleaned, but then I turn around and the toilet . . .

          Then there are the needs of our kids . . . endless needs.  These precious gifts require massive amounts of love, patience and sacrifice. 

                                            If it’s not one thing, it’s another.

             Why does it seem like there is so much in the way of us establishing this precious practice in our lives?  Why does it seem like all of hell wants to keep us from this place of prayer, hearing the Lord’s heart? 

          Maybe the enemy knows that when we find it, we become unshakable.  David said:

                "I have set the Lord continually before me.  Because He is at my right hand, I                                                   will not be shaken."  Psalm 16:8

            Once we establish this habit, this position, this posture, the enemy loses important ground.  Something in our lives becomes untouchable.  And it’s the most important seat in our hearts-it’s the very core of who we are.  This is where our identity flows from.  We find our true self in the eyes of our Creator.  We know who we are when we know WHOSE we are.  We know who we are when we sit before Him.

                                    

Whining, Waffles and Whispers~The Way to Our New Identity

          "NOOOOOOOOOO . . . "  I had been hearing it all week out of my 4 year old's mouth.  Was it just a rebellious streak he was on?  Was it because it was the last week of preschool and his sadness over the end of the school year was coming out in anger against me?  Was he just testing me?  His magnet on his "Obedience Race Track" hadn't budged in at least 7 days.  We were at a standstill, like an old western film show down, Daniel on one side of the ghost town and me at the other, waiting for the other one to give up in surrender.  Well what does any good parent do in a time like this?

    Take 'em out for waffles of course.

     That wasn't all I did.  But, I felt the need to connect in a deeper way with my son hoping to find some clue as to why he was acting out.  I wanted to let him know my love and enjoyment of him hadn't changed, even though his behavior had.  We had a great time, laughing together.   We talked about what it meant that God was our Abba,  Our Daddy. He loves and even adores us even in our maddest, worst, most rebellious place.  His love doesn't shift like our behavior can.  I felt like this was the ticket.   And if it wasn't the ticket, maybe at least it was the turning point.

    But after school, the behavior continued.  Finally, at one point after the 5th or 6th time out, I remembered what we had discussed that morning.  I looked straight into the angry, distorted face of my preschooler and said, "Daniel we really, really love you.  Abba really loves you RIGHT NOW.  We know you have what it takes to obey fast.  We know you can do it."


    And something clicked.  The light turned on.  Something broke.  Life was spoken right in the midst of discipline.  Confidence was imparted.  Budding righteousness was affirmed.  New identity was received.  And Daniel's out ward behavior shifted because he received his inner identity.

     "Yes Dad."
     "Sure, Mom."
     "Okay, I will do it."

     And right there, God revealed something very important.

     It is the same with us.  It's only after we receive our inner identity that our outward behavior  can really change.  Just like Daniel, we need to know we are enjoyed and loved right where we are.  God's love for us never moves or shifts, even in the midst of discipline or testing.  Daniel's behavior wasn't accepted, but He was still held tight in the Father's grip.  And it's the same with us.   His wasn't the identity of disobedience, even though that was how he was acting.  His was the identity of a beloved Son.  And so is ours.


      "God calls the things that are not as though they are." Romans 4:17


     In the place of testing, discipline, and disobedience is where we need to tune our ear the most.  Its here that we need to learn to hear the voice of our Abba, and shut out the voice of the condemnation.   We need to hear The Father tell us of His unwavering affection and love that beckons us to get back up when we fall.   We need to let him fan into flame the smoldering embers residing on the inside whispering to us that we are indeed "more than over comers" (Romans 8:37).